UT Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry

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UT Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Research at UT allows students to make important contributions to their fields while delving into subjects that they are passionate about.

These URI students are looking at improving education!Madison Calla & Cassidy Pardini: They are working to determine whe...
10/26/2026

These URI students are looking at improving education!

Madison Calla & Cassidy Pardini: They are working to determine whether hands-on tools will aid in a student's academic success and improve their overall outlook on science. They are using grant money to purchase high-level educational equipment to then implement into schools and administer tests before and after students use the new resources to test the effectiveness.

Sophia Gendron: Sophia Gendron, Mathematics & Education 28’, has been researching methods of incorporating literature into the upper-level mathematics classrooms, with a specific focus on RME education and context-based lessons. Thus far, she has identified strong correlations between integrated literature and improved understanding in the classrooms, but a lack of quantitative studies on higher level mathematics.

Keep up the fantastic work!

From the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, we have four amazing projects!Ben Carron & Hannah Maloney: Our project f...
10/25/2026

From the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, we have four amazing projects!

Ben Carron & Hannah Maloney: Our project focuses on ubiquitin chains formed on biologically relevant substrates of the Ubiquitin Proteosome System (UPS) and identifying which chain architecture triggers the most robust degradation.

Ariel Jens: I am conducting research under Dr. Masserini to investigate how biogenic particulate silica concentrations are related to hurricanes, natural disasters, and harmful algal bloom (HAB) events on the West Florida Shelf.

Teagan Harbour: Teagan Harbour, a senior majoring in Chemistry and Biology, is conducting research on the synthesis of polynuclear lanthanide complexes through an OURI grant.

Madison Chupela: Madison Chupela, a Biology Pre-med senior at the University of Tampa, received the Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Grant to work with Dr. Brett Hemric on developing a new way to attach oxygen atoms to specific locations along carbon chains.

We are so excited to hear all about your findings!

The next three projects are from the Environmental Studies Department!Andrew and Evan are using operational warnings to ...
10/24/2026

The next three projects are from the Environmental Studies Department!
Andrew and Evan are using operational warnings to compare the climatology of tropical cyclone-induced flash flood events between the Carolinas and Texas. Gavin is using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model to investigate influence of sea surface temperatures on the trajectory and recurving Eastern North Pacific hurricanes. Matthew is analyzing the impacts of a changing climate on Eastern North Pacific tropical cyclone activity use synthetic tracks.

Andrew Snyder: Analyzing the climatology and spatial distribution of tropical cyclone-induced flash flood warnings across Texas from 2008–2024 using ArcGIS Pro and statistical analysis.

Evan Bennett: Our research project focuses on how geography between the Carolinas and Texas affects characteristics of Tropical Cyclones, such as intensity and size, and their influence on flash floods zones.

Gavin Flowers: Gavin Flowers, Marine Science–Biology and Environmental Studies '27, is working with Dr. Nicholas Grondin on researching the influence sea surface temperatures have on the track of the category five Hurricane Willa (2018).

Matthew Fibbi: Matthew Fibbi, Marine Science – Biology and Environmental Studies ’28, is working with Dr. Nicholas Grondin on understanding the effects of changing climate on tropical cyclones in the eastern portion of the Pacific Ocean.

Fantastic work!

These three projects have informative flyers for everyone to check out!In order: Julianna Carangue, Janki Shah, and Sylv...
10/23/2026

These three projects have informative flyers for everyone to check out!

In order: Julianna Carangue, Janki Shah, and Sylvie Hipp.

Thank you for the great flyers!

The next two projects are very interesting! One explores oral health and the other sushi!Christina Mroczkowski: My resea...
10/22/2026

The next two projects are very interesting! One explores oral health and the other sushi!

Christina Mroczkowski: My research is on nitrate-reducing bacteria in the oral microbiome that produce byproducts above our neutral pH levels. These bacteria combat against those that produce acidic environments and are linked to increased cardiovascular health.

Tara Pfent: Tara Pfent and Ava Mucci are using DNA Barcoding to investigate the rates and patterns of sushi product misidentification across various establishments in Tampa Bay. Under the mentorship of Dr. Santamaria, they will use molecular techniques and data to determine whether the products are accurately labeled in accordance with the FDA Seafood List and additional regulations.

We can't wait to hear your findings!

This project has a team of students researching the influence of stroke location on the efficacy of non-invasive brain s...
10/21/2026

This project has a team of students researching the influence of stroke location on the efficacy of non-invasive brain stimulation for executive dysfunction.

Bridget Klaus: This [research] will be done through conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature, with a goal of determining whether the treatment outcomes differ based on the cerebral artery affected to give more tailored rehabilitation protocols based on the patient.

Emma Schabert: Her research focuses on secondary data analysis, using existing national health surveys to explore relationships between lifestyle behaviors, chronic diseases, and overall health outcomes.

Good luck with your research!

The next URI project we're taking a look at comes from the Biology department! Lucas, Brock, and Gabriela are looking at...
10/20/2026

The next URI project we're taking a look at comes from the Biology department! Lucas, Brock, and Gabriela are looking at disinfection by-products and cancer risks.

Lucas Churchfield: This research project is an investigation into possible ways that chemicals found in our drinking water can influence the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment.

Brock Wild: His research focuses on trihalomethanes (THMs), chemical byproducts formed during water chlorination, and their potential long-term health effects.

Gabriela Cordero: In the lab, I am collaborating with fellow URI grant recipients to make drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cancer cell cultures and exposing them to each of the four trihalomethanes, as well as total trihalomethanes.

Fantastic! Keep up the great work!

The URI grant students have been busy at work this semester, and we're so happy to share what they've been doing!Declan ...
10/19/2026

The URI grant students have been busy at work this semester, and we're so happy to share what they've been doing!

Declan Quigley: Declan has been working with Dr. Elzy and Dr. Marsh in the Psychology Department to study how different personality traits affect interactions on online dating apps.

Brianna Torres: For my senior thesis project, I am examining how self-reported strategies influence the way people prioritize information in working memory, which is our ability to temporarily maintain and use information in our minds.

Miranda Becknel: I am a research assistant working with Dr. Rosenfeld in the Cognitive Psychophysiology Lab. One of the research projects we have in the works is how emotional learning influences the brain's response to threatening situations.

We look forward to seeing what else everyone has been up to!

The 2027 Southeastern Conference on Linguistics (SECOL) will be held tight here in Tampa! The conference is open to all ...
10/14/2026

The 2027 Southeastern Conference on Linguistics (SECOL) will be held tight here in Tampa!

The conference is open to all fields and topics in applied and theoretical linguistics.

The Department of Biology is hosting the Biology Research Showcase & Speed Networking Event!Faculty members will give sh...
10/08/2026

The Department of Biology is hosting the Biology Research Showcase & Speed Networking Event!

Faculty members will give short talks to introduce their research, and students will be able to circulate around the room to inquire more about a faculty member's current projects and research programs.

This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to get involved with research in the Biology Department!

Please join the Biology Department on Oct. 23 from 2:30-4pm in SFB 145. Snacks will be provided!

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